We understand the reasons for coronavirus-driven conference cancelations, but it doesn’t make it any less disappointing.
However, in the vein of “lemons/lemonade,” Fi360 is making the content originally scheduled for its annual conference available online, with high-profile speakers like Blaine Aikin, Michael Kitces, Fred Reish and more.
“2020 has become the year of adaptation,” the fiduciary education, designation and fintech firm notes. “Each spring, the Fi360 team prepares to deliver over 30 hours of fresh content to the fiduciary community from renowned leaders in the industry. We may not have the chance to shake your hand and catch up face-to-face, but we will fulfill our promise to give you the latest insights on the fiduciary landscape.”
Covering what’s happening now
Running into June, the weekly lineup begins on Tuesday, April 14 at 2:00 p.m. ET, with Aikin’s important, insightful and sometimes controversial 2020 State of the Fiduciary address, something that would normally kick off the conference.
[THE ENTIRE WEBINAR CALENDAR CAN BE FOUND HERE]
It’s an update on regulatory and best practices trends for fiduciaries and all things impacting the conduct standards for financial services providers. Co-hosted by Duane Thompson, President of Potomac Strategies, the two discuss the most pressing issues for fiduciaries in 2020.
“It was already looking like a monumental year with Reg BI compliance on the horizon and various states introducing their own fiduciary rules,” Aikin says. “Now with markets in turmoil and social restrictions in place, advisors have even more to consider as they work to best support their clients.”
Aikin and advisor, speaker and overall industry personality Michael Kitces then cover Reg BI & Other Trends for Fiduciary and Professionalism on Wednesday, April 15 at 1:30 p.m. ET.
Aikin and Kitces will discuss the impact of the SEC’s Regulation Best Interest, an update on XY Planning Network’s legal challenge to the regulation, and other regulatory and court actions that are impacting the fiduciary standard in 2020. Panelists will then “look beyond compliance to discuss how firms and advisors are adapting to the current environment and the future of investment advice as a profession.”
Week No. 1 closes out on Thursday, April 16 at 2:00 p.m. ET with fiduciary powerhouse Fred Reish, who will take on The SEC’s Investment Adviser Interpretation and Reg BI: The (Partial) Convergence for RIAs and Broker-Dealers.
“Last year the SEC issued its Regulation Best Interest, which enhanced the duty of care, management of conflicts and disclosures for broker-dealers,” Fi360 explains. “At the same time, the SEC issued the Interpretation Regarding Standard of Conduct for Investment Advisers. The Interpretation for investment advisers nominally restates and clarifies the standard of care and the rules about disclosures and conflicts, but in actuality, it increases the requirements for RIAs. This program explains the new rules and compares and contrasts their requirements.”
With more than 20 years serving financial markets, John Sullivan is the former editor-in-chief of Investment Advisor magazine and retirement editor of ThinkAdvisor.com. Sullivan is also the former editor of Boomer Market Advisor and Bank Advisor magazines, and has a background in the insurance and investment industries in addition to his journalism roots.
